9 Apps that Solve Common Small Business Struggles

Running a
small business means having to juggle multiple responsibilities, tasks and
employees. Your ability to work productively will directly affect the success
of your business. If you’re not able to be effective through time management,
avoiding distractions, project organization, scheduling, communication and
other related areas, your business may suffer. In this post, we’ll provide mobile
app suggestions that will help you run a better business, and kick your bad
habits for good!

You Have a Hard Time Juggling Projects

You likely have multiple initiatives to work on at one time. Whether these are marketing efforts, sales campaigns or other projects, it is important to have one place to compile information for these plans. This is especially necessary if you have multiple team members contributing to projects.

That’s where Asana
comes in. This free app is a task management must-have. You can create tasks within each project, assign them to employees, give them due dates and attach necessary files. Plus, you can communicate within each task, which will help you and your employees stay on the same page. You can access Asana on your computer or smartphone, so reviewing progress while on-the-go is always possible.

You Get Distracted Easily

There’s no shame in admitting it! If you are sidetracked while doing work for your business, it might be time to utilize apps to rid yourself of disturbances. Freedom
allows you to choose apps, websites or email inboxes that you can block your phone from accessing for a certain length of time. Have an upcoming deadline? You may benefit from downloading Freedom and starting a blocklist.

You Aren't Keeping Yourself Accountable

Following up on our previous tip regarding distractions, this app is another one to consider. If you want to examine how you’re spending your time, you should try the Eternity Time Log
. This app makes it easy to see how you’re spending your time on digital devices, so that you can adjust as needed.

You Struggle With Time Management

If you have multiple tasks to complete in a day, you’ll need to allot a certain amount of time for each task. Some people have difficulty doing this, and spend too much time on tasks, leaving little to no time to complete other responsibilities. With 30/30
, you can set timers and label them with the name of your task. When the timer goes off, it will immediately go to the next project. If you’re looking for structure
, this is a tool that you should try.

You Aren't Good at Communicating

It can seem challenging to keep in touch with your employees, partners and other business associates. To streamline your business’s communications, start using an app like Slack
. This way, you can hold private conversations and public forums all through one easy-to-use app.

You Have Trouble With Scheduling

As a busy entrepreneur, managing your schedule might be a consistent challenge. Luckily, there are numerous calendar apps available for business owners. Although using a calendar can help keep you structured, you might also benefit from using a meeting scheduler. As we mentioned in the last paragraph, Slack offers communication benefits. In addition, there is a corresponding app called Meekan
, that serves as a scheduler. Connect Meekan with your calendar, and you’ll be able to see when you and your employees have open slots available.

You Get Overwhelmed Easily

Understandably, running a small business is a lot of pressure. There may be times that you get stressed, and it prevents you from completing your work. Don’t let these negative emotions take over your life by adding Pacifica
to your daily routine. This way, you can record when and why you are feeling nervous, and receive tips for improving your moods. Hopefully, this time of self-reflection will help you clear your head so that you can tend to your business.

You Don't Have Time to Manage Employees

Handling your employees’ attendance, payroll, vacation time and other matters is important to running your business. If you have trouble overseeing these aspects, and want to avoid confusion, consider downloading an app like BambooHR
. You’ll be able to manage all your HR initiatives in one place – everything from approving time-off requests to inputting employee contact information.

You Forget to Pay Your Bills

With so many financial obligations, it can be easy for business owners to forget to pay their bills. Unfortunately, failing to do so can have major financial consequences; including debt and credit score issues. Make your finances a priority by using the Mint app
. With this app you can easily organize your bills by due date, name and amount. Plus, you’ll get reminders on the app prior to due dates, so you don’t receive any pesky late fees!

Using mobile apps to improve productivity as a business owner is becoming more and more popular. If you struggle with any of these 9 issues, there is an app for you!

Are there other apps for small business owners that you recommend?
Feel free to share your suggestions in the comment section below.

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About The Author

Katie Alteri is the content marketing coordinator at Fora Financial
, a
company that provides working capital solutions to small businesses across the
U.S. Fora Financial can also be found on Facebook
and Twitter
.

The Rialto Mobile Marketing Blog

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